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former Beacon LaundryCulver City, CA

former Allied Model TrainsCulver City, CA

The former Beacon Laundry was built in 1931. The sign previously had a projection on top. The company was still operating here in the early 1980s. It had closed by the late 1990s. The building housed the Beacon, an Asian restaurant, from 2004-2011. The building appeared to be vacant when this photo was taken in 2013. Later that year, the space was occupied by the Bucato Restaurant. The sign's neon flashes on and off. "Beacon" is lit with blue tubing while "Laundry" is lit with white. Those letters flash off and overlaying red neon for "Helms" flashes on. The Helms Bakery Building is located next door. For more, see this website. [map]

Allied Model Trains was established in 1946. The store moved to this location in 2007. This building was constructed in the late 1940s. Does anyone know what business was here originally? This photo is from 2013. The store closed in 2015 and was the building was severely damaged by a fire. In 2016, the building was renovated and now houses a hot tub store. [map]

Culver Carburetor [gone]Culver City, CA

I believe the Culver Carburetor building had been here since at least the 1940s. I don't know what the original occupant was. In the 1960s, the building housed a Mexican restaurant. In 1972, it housed Acapulco Seafood. In 2008 when these photos were taken, the building was vacant. By 2010, the building was gone.

Helms Bakery BuildingCulver City, CA

The Helms Bakery Building was built from 1930-1931. This sign was built then. The text refers to the company's designation as the "official baker" for the upcoming 1932 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Helms bread and baked goods were never sold in stores but rather through panel trucks throughout Southern California. The delivery truck would sound a whistle announcing its presence as it drove through residential neighborhoods. The company's slogan was "Daily at Your Door". The text on the sign switches back and forth between that slogan and "Olympic Bread". The sign features spectacular animation including a starburst on the left and twinkling stars on the shield. Helms folded in 1969. The complex now houses furniture showrooms, art galleries, restaurants and retail stores. The animated rooftop neon sign was restored and relit in 2003. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. [map]

Helms Bakery BuildingSan Bernardino, CA

The Helms Bakery Building in San Bernardino appears to be from the 1930s. [map]

The Cloverdale Creamery was founded in 1927. This building was constructed in 1938. The property was used for storage for the company's dairy products and a restaurant. The dairy plant closed in the 1970s and the restaurant closed in 2001. The building now houses Bogie's Discount Pet Food & Supplies. For more, see this website. [map]

former Val Vita Food Products officeFullerton, CA

This former Val Vita Food Products office was built in 1939. Val Vita produced canned foods and merged with Hunt's Cannery in 1943 to become Hunt-Wesson Foods. The building appeared to be in use by a church when these photos were taken in 2014. [map]

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Tips & Updates. If you have suggestions about places that I haven't covered, historical info, or updates about places/things that have been remodeled or removed, I'd love to hear from you: roadarch@outlook.com.